consumershttp://www.maclife.com/taxonomy/term/11176/all
enSmartphone Displays Under 5 Inches Are Starting to Become Scarcehttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/smartphone_displays_under_5_inches_are_starting_become_scarce
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/iphone_5s_with_bigger_android_phones_620px.png" alt="iPhone 5s vs. bigger Android phones" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>Judging from new research data, the <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/iphone_5s_review" target="_self">iPhone 5s</a> display may soon look quaint and diminutive against a veritable army of new smartphones featuring screens larger than five inches.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.canalys.com/newsroom/third-smart-phones-shipped-q1-had-5-plus-displays" target="_blank">Canalys reported Wednesday</a> that over one-third of the 279.4 million smartphones shipped during the first three months of this year featured displays larger than five inches, a potentially ominous sign that consumers want to go big or go home.<br /><br />Big-screen smartphones particularly made an impression in China and Asia Pacific markets, where they made up 39 and 43 percent of the mix, respectively, compared to 34 percent of shipments worldwide.<br /><br />Perhaps more troubling for smartphone makers like <a href="http://www.apple.com" target="_blank">Apple</a> who have no smartphones with screens above five inches is the growth rate of such shipments: 369 percent, which suggests consumers have a voracious appetite for larger displays.<br /><br />"Apple plainly needs a larger-screen smart phone to remain competitive, and it will look to address this in the coming months," remarked Canalys analyst Jessica Kwee, noting that Samsung holds a commanding lead with 44 percent of five-inch or larger devices.<br /><br />"Consumers now expect high-end devices to have large displays, and Apple’s absence in this market will clearly not last long," Kwee elaborated.<br /><br />Apple is expected to introduce a 4.7-inch version of the iPhone 6 later this year, and a rumored 5.5-inch could debut at the same time, although manufacturing issues reportedly could prevent the larger version from shipping until early next year.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/smartphone_displays_under_5_inches_are_starting_become_scarce#commentsNewsandroidApple Inc.Asia PacificCanalysChinaconsumersiPhone 5Siphone 6quarterly shipmentsresearchSamsungsmartphonesiPhoneThu, 15 May 2014 13:19:33 +0000J.R. Bookwalter19957 at http://www.maclife.comReport Claims Redbox Instant Could Close Up Shop This Yearhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/report_claims_redbox_instant_could_close_shop_year
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/redbox_instant_by_verizon_620px.png" alt="Redbox Instant by Verizon" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>Barely a year after its beta launch, the streaming video arm of Redbox could buckle this year under increasing pressure from Netflix and what one industry insider calls a "lack of profitability."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.benzinga.com/news/14/02/4281080/redbox-instant-is-likely-to-close-its-doors-in-2014" target="_blank">Benzinga is reporting</a> that Redbox Instant owners Verizon and Outerwall could be looking for the exit door later this year as the DVD kiosk plus streaming video experiment falters against the competition.<br /><br />According to GroupFlix.tv Founder and CEO James Norman, "Redbox doesn't have the infrastructure that Netflix does," which has resulted in ongoing issues with buffering while streaming content from Redbox Instant apps.<br /><br />Norman came to the conclusion Redbox Instant was marked for death after compiling a survey of 500 television viewers for a report on the set-top box industry, and found that the company's product mix has yet to catch on with consumers.<br /><br />"Similar to Blockbuster's failed streaming efforts years back, Redbox Instant encountered a cold reception in 2013 and will likely be shut down in 2014 for its lack of profitability," Norman elaborated.<br /><br />Although the popular Redbox DVD kiosk rental service wouldn't be affected should the owners of Redbox Instant choose to heed Norman's advice, investors already called for the service to be sold, spun off or shut down entirely back in October, suggesting the company may be under renewed pressure to perform, even from within.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/report_claims_redbox_instant_could_close_shop_year#commentsNewsbufferingcompetitionconsumersDVDkiosksnetflixRedboxRedbox Instant by Verizonstreaming videoSurveysiPadiPhoneiPodMacFri, 07 Feb 2014 13:23:32 +0000J.R. Bookwalter19269 at http://www.maclife.comApple Posts Commitment to Customer Privacy Statementhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_posts_commitment_customer_privacy_statement
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/apple_logo_silhouette_620px.png" alt="Apple logo silhouette" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>Over the last two weeks, the U.S. government's PRISM program has garnered a lot of media attention, as well as denials from tech companies as to their involvement -- including Apple.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.apple.com/apples-commitment-to-customer-privacy/" target="_blank">Apple has posted a Commitment to Customer Privacy statement on its website</a> in the wake of public outcry over the PRISM program, which shares customer data with U.S. government agencies.<br /><br />When the media first approached Apple on June 6 about any potential involvement, Cupertino was quick to deny any direct access to its servers, which requires a court order before the company will release any such data. Apple is now making it clear exactly how many such requests it's received, and how it's handled them.<br /><br />"From December 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013, Apple received between 4,000 and 5,000 requests from U.S. law enforcement for customer data," the statement details. "Between 9,000 and 10,000 accounts or devices were specified in those requests, which came from federal, state and local authorities and included both criminal investigations and national security matters. The most common form of request comes from police investigating robberies and other crimes, searching for missing children, trying to locate a patient with Alzheimer’s disease, or hoping to prevent a suicide."<br /><br />The statement also details how Apple's legal team "conducts an evaluation of each request" and will even reject those with "inconsistencies or inaccuracies."<br /><br />"Apple has always placed a priority on protecting our customers’ personal data, and we don’t collect or maintain a mountain of personal details about our customers in the first place," the statement concludes. "There are certain categories of information which we do not provide to law enforcement or any other group because we choose not to retain it."<br /><br />Among the data Apple doesn't hang onto are iMessage and FaceTime conversations, which Apple claims even it is unable to decrypt, as well as a customer's location, their Map searches or Siri requests.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_posts_commitment_customer_privacy_statement#commentsNewsApple Inc.consumersdataFaceTimeiMessageinternet privacyPRISMprivacySiristatementUS GovernmentiPadiPhoneiPodMacMon, 17 Jun 2013 13:04:05 +0000J.R. Bookwalter17279 at http://www.maclife.comReport Claims People Less Happy with iPhone Than a Year Agohttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/report_claims_people_less_happy_iphone_year_ago
<!--paging_filter--><p>Are you as happy with your iPhone as you were last year? If not, you may not be alone, according to a recent survey which reveals Apple has dropped two percent from its position in 2012.<br /><br /><a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57585293-94/customers-not-as-happy-with-iphone-as-they-were-last-year/" target="_blank">CNET reported Monday</a> that a new American Customer Satisfaction Index report shows that Apple's iPhone has slipped two points from last year, a phenomenon also experienced by Android handset makers HTC and LG.<br /><br />In 2012, the iPhone enjoyed a customer satisfaction score of 83 (out of 100), ranking it the highest of all competitors. That's still the case this year, although the two percent drop to 81 coupled with a five percent jump for second-place Motorola appears to be closing the gap (from 73 to 77).</p><p><img src="/files/u220903/phones_acsi.png" alt="ACSI cell phone satisfaction" width="617" height="341" /><br /><br />Strangely, goliath Samsung only ranks fifth on the ACSI chart, but the Korean manufacturer is clearly on the rise, jumping seven percent from 71 in 2012 to 76 this year. BlackBerry ranks dead last with a score of 69, which remains unchanged from a year ago.<br /><br />As usual, we wouldn't read too much into these kind of surveys, unless you're the type who already looks at Apple and thinks the sky is falling. After all, overall satisfaction with cellular phones increased 2.7 percent over the last year, which should be good news for everyone…<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p><em>(Image courtesy of CNET and ACSI)</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/report_claims_people_less_happy_iphone_year_ago#commentsNewsApple Inc.blackberrycnetconsumerscustomer satisfactionhappinessMotorolanokiaresultsSamsungSurveysiPhoneTue, 21 May 2013 13:49:01 +0000J.R. Bookwalter17044 at http://www.maclife.comNuance Hopes Consumers Are Ready to Talk to Mobile Adshttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/nuance_hopes_consumers_are_ready_talk_mobile_ads
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/nuance_voice_ads_200px.png" alt="Nuance Voice Ads" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />Ever wanted to have a conversation with a mobile ad, presumably aside from yelling at it to get off your screen? Ads are going to get a lot more chatty soon, thanks to the voice recognition gurus at Nuance.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nuance.com/company/news-room/press-releases/voiceads.docx" target="_blank">Nuance Communications announced</a> its latest technology known as <a href="http://www.nuance.com/landing-pages/products/voiceads/default.asp#youtube" target="_blank">Voice Ads</a> on Monday, which will enable users to hold a two-way conversation using little more than a mobile advertisement.<br /><br />While most of us are probably annoyed by mobile ads, Nuance aims to make them more engaging, tapping into its popular voice recognition technology to allow advertisers to "deepen the relationship with consumers" by making their targeted ads more chatty.<br /><br />“Voice Ads redefines the relationship between consumers and mobile advertising, giving them an opportunity to engage with brands in a more meaningful way,” explains Michael Thompson, executive vice president and general manager, Nuance Mobile. “Voice has already changed the mobile interface, making it faster and easier for consumers to discover and access information, and find people and content. Mobile advertising shouldn’t be any different, and should be designed specifically around the unique capabilities of the mobile device.”<br /><br />Nuance Voice Ads are now available to mobile ad platform creators, carriers and creative agencies in the form of a software development kit (SDK), which promises to allow advertisers to integrate the technology into both new and existing mobile ad campaigns.<br /><br />Whether consumers are actually ready to talk to their mobile ads, however, remains to be seen…<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/nuance_hopes_consumers_are_ready_talk_mobile_ads#commentsNewsadvertisersAdvertisingconsumersmobile advertisingnuance communicationsSDKvoiceVoice Adsvoice recognitioniPhoneMon, 01 Apr 2013 13:41:38 +0000J.R. Bookwalter16623 at http://www.maclife.comShocker: Samsung Wants Piece of Smart Wristwatch Market, Toohttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/shocker_samsung_wants_piece_smart_wristwatch_market_too
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/apple_watch_patent_200px.png" alt="Apple wrist patent" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />Sure, Samsung has been in the wristwatch business for years, but they haven't exactly had any better luck making them smarter than anyone else. Feeling a little pressure from those Apple rumors, are we?<br /><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-19/samsung-preparing-wristwatch-as-it-races-apple-for-sales.html" target="_blank"><br />Bloomberg is reporting</a> that Samsung has confirmed its intentions to jump into the smart wristwatch market -- a move that's not much of a surprise, considering their rivalry with Apple in the smartphone business.<br /><br />Of course, Apple has no wristwatch to speak of -- smart or otherwise -- but rumors that Cupertino will be leaping into the market this year certainly appear to be enough to get the copying machines fired up at Samsung.<br /><br />“We’ve been preparing the watch product for so long,” Samsung Executive Vice President of Mobile Lee Young Hee told Bloomberg. “We are working very hard to get ready for it. We are preparing products for the future, and the watch is definitely one of them.”<br /><br />The Samsung executive even acknowledges that they're engaged in a race to see whose "smart watch" can revolutionize the market first. “The issue here is who will first commercialize it so consumers can use it meaningfully,” Lee added.<br /><br />At stake is an industry that will rake in more than $60 billion in sales worldwide this year alone -- and one that Apple has not even publicly acknowledged outside of patent applications that only vaguely point to its interest in such product in the first place.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/shocker_samsung_wants_piece_smart_wristwatch_market_too#commentsNewsApple Inc.Apple v. SamsungbloombergconsumersiWatchPatentsRumorsSamsungwatcheswristwatchiPhoneTue, 19 Mar 2013 13:25:28 +0000J.R. Bookwalter16514 at http://www.maclife.comCinemaNow Pulls Vanishing Act on Customer Store Credit Balanceshttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/cinemanow_pulls_vanishing_act_customer_store_credit_balances
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/cinemanow_zero_balance_200px.png" alt="CinemaNow store credit zero balance" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />Imagine getting a great deal on gift cards, only to have the retailer take them away -- without explanation -- the next time you try to shop there. This real-life nightmare is currently playing out for CinemaNow customers, who watched helplessly as thousands of dollars disappeared from their accounts last weekend.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/news/weekend_recap_evernote_password_reset_digital_av_surprise_campus_2" target="_blank">As first noted in our weekend recap on Monday</a>, Best Buy-owned movie and TV streaming service <a href="http://www.cinemanow.com" target="_blank">CinemaNow</a> is in hot water with customers this week, many who saw their store credit balances mysteriously vanish before their eyes last weekend.<br /><br />Last Friday, a number of CinemaNow customers with active store credit noticed their accounts showed a zero balance. The next day, it was clear from forum posts on Blu-ray.com and other websites that the problem wasn't an isolated incident and one that likely affected all customers, taking even CinemaNow tech support staff by surprise.<br /><br />Initially blamed on a software glitch or possibly even a software update gone awry, by Tuesday customers began seeking answers from anywhere they could -- including CinemaNow's official Facebook page, where the plot began to thicken. (Curiously, CinemaNow's website has no direct contact information aside from email, phone or online chat tech support.)<br /><br />After inquiring about where several users purchased their CinemaNow credits, a Facebook page moderator who signed their reply as "The CinemaNow Team" explained the company was in the midst of an "active investigation into some fraud right now," suggesting the missing store credit could be somehow tied to the same issue.<br /><br />As many customers have discovered, you don't have to head to Best Buy in search of CinemaNow store credit -- it frequently pops up for sale on eBay and message boards dedicated to bargain hunting, typically at a steep discount. However, the same can also be said for Apple, whose iTunes gift cards are frequently offered on Best Buy, Walmart and even Staples websites, offering as much as a $10 discount on a $50 card.<br /><br />To test the fraud theory, <a href="http://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=7236686&amp;postcount=90" target="_blank">Blu-ray.com forum member hqn102</a> purchased a $25 CinemaNow gift card from their local Best Buy and added it to a new account. While the store credit redeemed just fine, the actual balance remained at zero -- a sign the company may have shut down its entire store credit system as part of its rumored investigation.<br /><br />Such problems are not unique to CinemaNow: In 2009, <a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/1141326/itunescard.html" target="_blank">Macworld reported</a> Apple had been faced with a similar situation stemming from stolen credit cards being used to purchase iTunes gift cards, which were then resold on eBay at a steep discount.<br /><br />In that particular case, Apple took the draconian measure of actually shutting down iTunes accounts found to be using the bum gift cards, with one user losing their entire library of content valued at more than $5,000, all over a few stolen $50 iTunes gift cards purchased on eBay.<br /><br />According to Macworld, Apple's iTunes terms of service explicitly state: “Apple re&shy;&shy;serves the right to close customer ac&shy;&shy;counts and request alternative forms of payment if a Gift Certificate, iTunes Card, Content Code or Allowance is fraudulently obtained or used on the iTunes Store."<br /><br />We could find no such verbiage in the <a href="http://www.cinemanow.com/termsOfService" target="_blank">CinemaNow terms of service</a> posted on the company's website, and a formal request for comment from someone at the corporate level went unanswered at press time. (We'll update this post if and when they do.)<br /><br />What's troubling to CinemaNow customers is they're being left completely in the dark -- the company has yet to offer any official explanation for the store credit disappearance, while its Facebook page and customer support muddy the water by responding to each customer inquiry differently.<br /><br />Instead of blaming the problem on a technical glitch or suggesting workarounds that are clearly unrelated (such as clearing browser caches), CinemaNow support has now started to inquire where customers purchased their credit, in addition requesting their username or email address on Facebook. After supplying the requested information, customers are now almost universally told, "our technical department is aware of the credit loss issue and is currently working hard to fix this inconvenience."<br /><br />More disturbing for customers is that CinemaNow appears to have no clue as to how much store credit each user had to begin with -- a thorny situation that could ultimately bring unwanted attention from consumer protection agencies or even hungry attorneys in search of their next class action lawsuit, should customers complain loudly enough.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/cinemanow_pulls_vanishing_act_customer_store_credit_balances#commentsNewsbest buyCinemaNowconsumersGift CardsiTunesmoviesProblemsstore creditstreamingtech supportTV ShowsMacThu, 07 Mar 2013 14:25:46 +0000J.R. Bookwalter16415 at http://www.maclife.comSurvey Claims Only 18 Percent Interested in iPad minihttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/survey_claims_only_18_percent_interested_ipad_mini
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/ipad_mini_mockup_200px.png" alt="iPad mini mockup" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />Now that the rumored October 10 date for Apple to send media invites for an "iPad mini" event later this month has passed, we'll turn our attention to a new survey that reveals consumers may not be that interested anyway.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.techbargains.com" target="_blank">Online deal website TechBargains</a> recently conducted a survey of more than 1,330 people and discovered that the hype analysts and industry pundits have for Apple's mythical "iPad mini" may not extend to the public at large -- at least not yet.<br /><br />The survey found that only 18 percent of those queried plan to purchase a seven-inch version of the iPad, with only 14 percent of those planning to line up on launch day to get one. One in five instead want to buy it online as soon as it's available, while 66 percent have no immediate purchasing plans.<br /><br />That leaves a full 50 percent disinterested in the junior tablet, while 32 percent remain undecided. While not exactly a fair comparison, 45 percent of the same respondents plan to purchase Apple's new iPhone 5.<br /><br />So who's most likely to lust for an iPad mini? Ironically, owners of the original iPad, with 27 percent committing to buying a smaller version when it's released. On the flip side of that coin, current Kindle Fire owners -- as well as those who do not own a tablet of any kind -- appear to be the least likely to purchase.<br /><br />Finally, when asked what they'd more desire from an iPad mini, the survey showed there's likely to be some really disappointed folks. 78 percent want a USB port, 77 percent asked for a Retina Display, 75 percent long for a memory card slot and 74 percent want better speakers than the current iPad.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/survey_claims_only_18_percent_interested_ipad_mini#commentsNewsconsumersiPad launchiPad MiniiPad retina displayiPad rumorssmaller iPadSurveySurveysTechBargainsiPadThu, 11 Oct 2012 12:33:55 +0000J.R. Bookwalter15287 at http://www.maclife.comAT&T Responds to FaceTime Over Cellular Criticshttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/att_responds_facetime_over_cellular_critics
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/att_logo_200px.png" alt="AT&amp;T logo" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />iOS 6 has yet to even be released and already, AT&amp;T is finding the update controversial with its plans to only allow FaceTime over cellular connections from the carrier's new Mobile Share data plans, which launch on Thursday.<br /><br /><a href="http://attpublicpolicy.com/fcc/enabling-facetime-over-our-mobile-broadband-network/" target="_blank">AT&amp;T's Public Policy Blog is attempting to address the complaints of critics</a> who find it unfair that the carrier is forcing customers to use its new Mobile Share data plans if they want to use FaceTime over cellular, a feature being introduced with iOS 6 this fall.<br /><br />Many critics are crying foul over the limitation, claiming that the requirement to use a specific data plan is in violation of the FCC's net neutrality rules -- but AT&amp;T is having none of it, calling these arguments "wrong" and "another knee jerk reaction."<br /><br />"Our policies regarding FaceTime will be fully transparent to all consumers, and no one has argued to the contrary," the blog notes. "There is no transparency issue here."<br /><br />Apparently, AT&amp;T feels they can get away with this restriction because FaceTime comes preinstalled with the mobile operating system -- a key difference from apps such as Skype, which must be installed from the App Store.<br /><br />"The FCC’s net neutrality rules do not regulate the availability to customers of applications that are preloaded on phones," the blog continues. "Indeed, the rules do not require that providers make available any preloaded apps. Rather, they address whether customers are able to download apps that compete with our voice or video telephony services. AT&amp;T does not restrict customers from downloading any such lawful applications, and there are several video chat apps available in the various app stores serving particular operating systems. Therefore, there is no net neutrality violation."<br /><br />The entire blog post is written in an overly confrontational, defensive manner and judging from the internet reaction on Wednesday morning, it's likely to fan the flames of discontent rather than calm the current backlash.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/att_responds_facetime_over_cellular_critics#commentsNewsAT&TAT&T iPhoneblogcellularcomplaintsconsumersdata plansFaceTimeiOS 6Mobile ShareNet NeutralityiPhoneWed, 22 Aug 2012 14:01:30 +0000J.R. Bookwalter14869 at http://www.maclife.comDisplay Specs Are Misleading, But Here's How to Understand Themhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/display_specs_are_misleading_heres_how_understand_them
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/displaymate_logo_200px.png" alt="DisplayMate" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />Think you know a lot about displays? Few of us know as much as DisplayMate expert Dr. Raymond Soneira, who has just published a fascinating report to help consumers and pros alike better understand misleading display specs.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.displaymate.com/news.html#9" target="_blank">DisplayMate has published a new report</a> from president Dr. Raymond Soneira entitled "Understanding Misleading Display Specs," which attempts to demystify commonly used specifications related to screen size, aspect ration, pixels per inch and much, much more.<br /><br />"Most HDTVs, Tablets, Smartphones, Laptops, and Monitors prominently list their Display Specs as a sales and marketing tool," Dr. Ray writes. "Unfortunately many of these Display Specs are misleading and are misunderstood by both consumers and professionals. This makes it harder to figure out which displays really are better. Below are many of the Display Specs you'll see together with brief explanations that will help you understand what they actually mean."<br /><br />While terms such as aspect ratio, screen size and pixels per inch have become commonplace when talking about technology, the DisplayMate report digs deeper into terms such as color gamut ("the range of colors that a display can produce"), the difference between 18-bit and 24-bit color, how viewing angles and contrast ratios affect what we watch and how some specs such as response time are overhyped.<br /><br />And here's one that's always been a pet peeve for us: Did you know that setting the brightness too high on a display causes eye strain and actually wastes power, therefore reducing battery running time? The majority of us set our brightness far too high, so this DisplayMate report helps to set the record straight on that subject.<br /><br />For the full report, <a href="http://www.displaymate.com/news.html#9" target="_blank">head over to the DisplayMate News page</a> and prepare to have your eyes opened to the mystery of display specs.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/display_specs_are_misleading_heres_how_understand_them#commentsNewsaspect ratiobrightnessconsumersdisplaydisplay technologydisplaymatedr. raymond soneirahdtvspecsiPadiPhoneiPodTue, 21 Aug 2012 18:37:14 +0000J.R. Bookwalter14862 at http://www.maclife.comReport: If Prepaid Cell Phones Are Cheaper, Why Aren't They More Popular?http://www.maclife.com/article/news/report_if_prepaid_cell_phones_are_cheaper_why_arent_they_more_popular
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/virgin_mobile_iphone_200px.png" alt="Virgin Mobile iPhone" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />A new report takes a look at why prepaid cell phones have failed to catch on in the United States, despite being a far cheaper option for many consumers. Could the iPhone make it a more enticing option?<br /><a href="http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/02/prepaid-phone-plans/" target="_blank"><br /><em>The New York Times</em> Bits blog has published an interesting article</a> on why prepaid cell phones have yet to catch on with many Americans. According to research firm Ovum, contract-free phone plans make up only 23 percent of wireless customers in the United States -- even though they're a much better deal for many of us.<br /><br />The article uses the example of the base model 16GB iPhone, which costs $199 with AT&amp;T under a two-year agreement, plus as much as $90 per month. That amounts to $2,360 over 24 months, compared with a prepaid plan on Virgin Mobile for the same device, which costs $650 up front for the hardware but only $30 per month -- or $1,370 over 24 months, and it even comes with unlimited 3G data.<br /><br />“Right now, consumers don’t do the math, and they have a lot of resistance to paying $500 to $600 upfront, and they’d rather pay $100 upfront and then overspend,” Alekstra analyst Tero Kuittinen explains. “That psychology has worked for hundreds of years, and it’s still working.”<br /><br />Of course, it's not just consumers -- carriers in the U.S. tend to shy away from marketing their prepaid offerings in favor of locking in customers to a more lucrative two-year commitment. Ironically, in almost everywhere else in the world, the situation is largely reversed, and prepaid cell phones are the preferred choice.<br /><br />The lack of "cool" handsets has also been a limitation of prepaid carriers, but that's starting to change now that Virgin, Leap and Cricket landed the iPhone this summer. Ovum anticipates prepaid customers to jump to 29 percent by 2016, particularly if the economy fails to regain its mojo and consumers begin seeking less-expensive alternatives to the two-year contract.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/report_if_prepaid_cell_phones_are_cheaper_why_arent_they_more_popular#commentsNewscell phonescellular carriersconsumerscontract-freePrepaidprepaid iphonestudyVirgin MobilewirelessiPhoneFri, 03 Aug 2012 12:16:43 +0000J.R. Bookwalter14709 at http://www.maclife.comAT&T Denies "Sell Anything But iPhone" Allegationshttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/att_denies_sell_anything_iphone_allegations
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/att_logo_200px.jpg" alt="AT&amp;T logo" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />Apple controls its own destiny with the iPhone, a brutal reality that clearly must chafe at its carrier partners. But would a once-exclusive partner actually go so far as to instruct its salespeople to sell other smartphones over Cupertino's handset?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bgr.com/2012/08/01/att-iphone-sales-decrease-managers-orders/" target="_blank">BGR is reporting</a> that regional sales managers at AT&amp;T "have been instructing store managers to pump the brakes on Apple's iPhone," instead steering potential customers toward more lucrative offerings such as Android devices or Nokia's Windows Phone-powered Lumia 900.<br /><br />Needless to say, the report raised the ire of AT&amp;T, who was quick to cry foul on BGR's "exclusive."<br /><br />"The idea that we would steer any customer away from a particular device couldn’t be more farfetched," an AT&amp;T spokesperson told BGR in a statement. "Our reps do what it takes to align customer needs with the best device for them. iPhone remains one of our most popular devices, which doesn’t happen by steering people away from it. Our reps are encouraged to try all devices so they are more knowledgeable on our industry-leading smartphone lineup."<br /><br />Seems reasonable, but the BGR report could throw a spotlight on a real problem Apple may face as its iconic device begins to age: What happens when salespeople and customers tire of the iPhone?<br /><br />Consumers are a fickle beast and their tastes change rapidly, so whether the report is true or not, Apple may have cause for concern -- <a href="http://jeffstern.co/2012/07/17/advice-verizon-wireless-store/" target="_blank">especially with other reports of similar activity happening at rival carrier Verizon Wireless</a>. (See section four.)<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/att_denies_sell_anything_iphone_allegations#commentsNewsandroidAT&TBGRconsumerscustomersficklenokia lumiasalespeopleVerizon Wirelesswindows phone 7iPhoneThu, 02 Aug 2012 12:49:57 +0000J.R. Bookwalter14698 at http://www.maclife.comWindows 8 Will Come in Only 3 Flavors, Including RT for ARM Processorshttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/windows_8_will_come_only_3_flavors_including_rt_arm_processors
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/windows_8_logo_200px.png" alt="Windows 8 logo" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />Maybe Microsoft is finally learning a little something from Apple in the form of fewer versions of its Windows operating system. With the forthcoming Windows 8, the company is showing restraint with only three versions, and one of them is exclusively for ARM processors.<br /><br /><a href="http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2012/04/16/announcing-the-windows-8-editions.aspx" target="_blank">The Windows Blog announced</a> on Monday that Windows 8 will only be available in three flavors, down from the five Windows 7 editions (Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate, for those playing the home game). But in reality, there will simply be two versions of Windows 8 for most of us: Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro.<br /><br />That’s because the third version, Windows RT, is an entirely new version of the operating system intended for ARM processors. “This single edition will only be available pre-installed on PCs and tablets powered by ARM processors and will help enable new thin and lightweight form factors with impressive battery life,” the blog entry reveals. “Windows RT will include touch-optimized desktop versions of the new Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.”<br /><br />Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic and Home Premium users will want to upgrade to Windows 8, the base version of the software aimed at consumers, while users of Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate will find comfort in the loving arms of Windows 8 Pro, which adds remote desktop hosting, group policy, an encrypted file system and other features not typically found in consumer editions.<br /><br />Kudos to Microsoft for finally taking a less confusing route for Windows 8, which is currently available to all with a public preview that can be downloaded from the company’s website.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/windows_8_will_come_only_3_flavors_including_rt_arm_processors#commentsNewsARMconsumersMicrosoftoperating systemsTabletVersionswindowsWindows 7Windows 8Windows 8 ProTue, 17 Apr 2012 13:29:51 +0000J.R. Bookwalter13844 at http://www.maclife.com